Raspberry flavored treats are blue because the original color was banned by the FDA!

There is no such thing as blue raspberry in the natural world. Most all raspberries are red, although there is a species that turns from red to purple as it ripens.

The reason why 'blue raspberry' exists is due to the candy industry. Raspberry was originally a dark red color made with amaranth, an extract of coal tar.

In 1976, that color was banned in most countries because it had been linked to cancer. Instead of choosing another red, which already had strawberry and cherry on it, they decided to go with the blue we know today.